ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Research was conducted to examine the effectiveness of the use of handheld technology to administer mathematics assessments in kindergarten and 1 st grade classes in North Carolina. This research was a review of secondary data from the first year of implementation of the Mathematics Assessment Pilot Project conducted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction from November 2009 to June 2010. Secondary documents gathered through a multi-method time series research design included interview notes, reports, surveys, an email log, and teacher videos. These data sources were analyzed to determine if the use of the handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs) improved the fidelity of the assessment process. Further analysis determined how teachers used reports of student data that were available through the use of the online component of the technology, as well as support teachers identified needing to implement an assessment system statewide. It was determined that the use of the handheld did not improve the administration of the assessments, but the use of the data improved because of the immediate availability. Teachers used data formatively to plan lessons, inform parents, and design remediation. Critical areas of support teachers identified included a curriculum specialist in the school, quality training, availability of coverage for their classes when assessments are performed, and administrative support. Two areas of conflict that would need examination included the meshing of the technology with school systems' protocols to allow teachers to synch the PDA with the external server in order to create reports. The other area to consider is to make the connection for teachers between the mathematics in the assessments and the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Overall, the use of the PDA has many advantages for use as a tool for conducting formative assessments. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]